This is the basic pattern most of my strategies share. It's not just a workaround, it's generally a good idea in life. There are plenty of things to occupy our need to think, so why waste it? If I find something is cognitively straining, I look for a way to remove the cognitive need entirely. ## Examples * I’m anxious that I’ll remember to pack my lunch up when I leave. * Then remove the need to remember. I know I’ll press the garage door button the moment I leave, so I’ll put a post it note right on the button: “Bring lunch!” - I have a hard time remembering what people just said in the meeting. - Remove the need to remember and delegate that responsibility to the perfect memory of a computer or paper and pen. - If possible and if it works well enough, I’ll use an AI transcription tool and have it in front of me at all times transcribing in real time. - Otherwise, I’ll vigorously take notes on every single thing and will ask for things to be repeated if I didn’t catch them. - I alternate working from home and my office and I sometimes get all the way to the office before I realize I forgot to bring my laptop - I have a second non laptop computer that stays at my desk plugged in. - This might sound extreme as a solution, but sometimes you have to give yourself an advantage over your disadvantage whatever the cost. - And remember computers can be cheap nowadays. My emergency desktop machine isn't the latest and shiniest model. You can find used computers that get the job done for cheap on eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook marketplace. - If you're driving all the way back home and back to the office to correct this mistake, think of what this is costing you in gas. - I always forget to pack things when I travel - I have the same solution for this. Having duplicates of items applies to more than just a work computer. - I keep a separate set of toiletries and device chargers in my suitcase and they stay there. There is no need to remember to pack them. Removing the need to think might sound like laziness, but it's really about finding a better way to do something that is less error prone and probably faster.